Fast linearized coronagraph optimizer (FALCO) III: optimization of key coronagraph design parameters

Abstract

Deformable mirrors (DMs) are increasingly becoming part of nominal coronagraph designs, such as the hybrid Lyot coronagraph, in addition to their role counteracting optical aberrations. Previous studies have investigated the effects of the inter-DM Fresnel number on achievable contrast, throughput, and tip/tilt sensitivity for apodized coronagraphs augmented with DMs to suppress diffraction from struts and segment gaps. In this paper, we build upon that previous work by directly suppressing tip/tilt sensitivity with the controller, both for coronagraphs with and without apodizers. We also explore the effects of other important design parameters such as actuator density and tip/tilt controller weighting on performance. These comprehensive coronagraph design studies are enabled by the Fast Linearized Coronagraph Optimizer (FALCO) software toolbox, which provides rapid re-calculation of the DM response matrix for a variety of coronagraphs.

Fast linearized coronagraph optimizer (FALCO) I: a software toolbox for rapid coronagraphic design and wavefront correction

“…The DM-SPLC optimization completed in five hours after 15 Jacobian calculations, and the DM-VC optimization finished in two hours after five Jacobian calculations. FALCO's relatively short run-times for DM-integrated designs enabled the surveys described in our companion papers Coker et al (FALCO III) 15 and Ruane et al (FALCO IV). 16 Fig.…”

“…FALCO's speed has enabled comprehensive DM-integrated design surveys to determine the best configuration parameters for different types of coronagraphs. In these proceedings, the first of these FALCOenabled studies are presented in papers by Coker et al (FALCO III) 15 and Ruane et al (FALCO IV). 16 In this paper, we provide an overview of FALCO's architecture and key algorithms.…”

Fast linearized coronagraph optimizer (FALCO) IV: coronagraph design survey for obstructed and segmented apertures

“…In Coker et al (2018, these proceedings), 28 we perform a survey to find optimal SPLC designs for a one dimensional representation of LUVOIR A. That is, the optimization is performed for an annular aperture with R in /R out = 0.1, where R in and R out are the inner and outer radii, respectively.…”

Numerically optimized coronagraph designs for the Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx) concept

“…As with the design strategy for 1D shaped pupil Lyot coronagraphs (SPLCs) described by Coker et al, 21 we performed an extensive set of DMLC optimizations for different combinations of inter-DM Fresnel number, FPM spot radius, Lyot stop inner radius, and Lyot stop outer radius. One slice of the results are shown in Fig.…”